Latest news with #AUC
Al-Ahram Weekly
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Abu drops new summer album Toba - Music - Arts & Culture
Egyptian singer and songwriter Abu has joined this year's summer music season with the release of his new album Toba, which dropped on Monday, 21 July. Released via Abu's official YouTube channel and major streaming platforms, Toba features six new tracks that blend diverse musical styles into a distinctive fusion. While the album embraces a bright, summery spirit, Abu has revealed that he plans to release another album later this year, tailored to suit the winter season. The title track, Toba, is composed by Mohamed Hamza and arranged by Ramy Samir. The song's cheerful melody blends traditional musical elements—characteristic of Abu's signature style—with contemporary Egyptian pop, adding a refreshing twist. The lyrics, written by Mohamed El-Qayati, offer a playful and light-hearted celebration of love. The accompanying music video, directed by Omar Donia, adopts a slightly comedic tone and was filmed in Qanater El-Khayriya, capturing a genuine popular atmosphere among the locals. The album also includes Balash Beleil and Come Back, both composed by Abu. Additional highlights include Ban Ban, composed by Tayam Aly, and Alby Aho, composed by Karim Ashour—both tracks feature prominent darbouka rhythms embellished with layered percussion. In contrast, Ahla Haga, with lyrics and music by Tarek Nadem, leans into joyful, melodic arrangements that reinforce the album's summer mood through its celebration of a beloved. Abu's journey Abu is an Egyptian singer and songwriter born into a family with a rich artistic heritage. His father, a celebrated Sufi poet, introduced him to the power of language and rhythm from an early age. He began playing piano and guitar at the age of eight and went on to study Business Administration at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Abu's musical breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of El-Nas Mabterhamsh (People Have No Mercy), a politically charged track that struck a chord with Egyptian audiences. The song's success ultimately led him to leave his corporate career and pursue music full-time. In 2017, he rose to regional fame with the hit single 3 Daqat, a summer duet with actress Yousra that became a viral sensation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al Bawaba
15-07-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
AUC Contributes to a Groundbreaking International Study About Novel Factors Accelerating Aging
A team from the American University in Cairo (AUC), led by Mohamed Salama, professor at the Institute of Global health and Human Ecology and senior fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and Sara Moustafa, a postdoc in AUC's aging research group, contributed to a groundbreaking international study published in Nature Medicine that reveals that our environments—including pollution, social inequality, and weak democratic institutions—significantly accelerate how our lifespan ages. The research, involving 161,981 individuals across 40 countries, introduces a global exposome framework and shows that multiple exposures can predict bio-behavioral age gaps (BBAGs), a novel measure of accelerated aging. BBAGs are the difference between a person's actual age and the age-predicted from their health, cognition, education, functionality, and risk factors like cardiometabolic health or sensory study—led by a multinational team from Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America—analyzed environmental, social, and political factors and their impact on brain aging using advanced artificial intelligence and epidemiological modeling. The results show that where you live—your exposome—can age you several years faster, increasing the risk for cognitive and functional AUC team contributed to this work building on the impactful work done at AUC focusing on aging and brain health. 'Diversity in research is not a luxury anymore,' said Salama. 'Including countries from Africa and the Middle East is essential to understand the global risks and challenges for brain health. Our team at AUC has been successful in contributing to international research in this field promising to better understand determinants of healthy aging in Egypt and adding to the global knowledge.' Agustin Ibanez, corresponding author of the study and researcher at the GBHI and Latin American Brain Health Institute noted that people need to stop thinking of brain health as a purely individual responsibility and consider a more ecological and neurosyndemic framework. 'Our biological age reflects the world we live in. Exposure to toxic air, political instability, and inequality, of course, affect society, but also shapes our health,' he said. The findings of this study present the first evidence that combined structural exposures beyond individual lifestyle are deeply embedded in our aging process. In an age of rising populism, environmental degradation, and global displacement, understanding how environments age the brains is a scientific, political, ethical, and health imperative.'This is not a metaphor: environmental and political conditions leave measurable fingerprints across 40 countries, revealing a clear gradient of accelerated aging from Africa to Latin America, Asia, and Europe,' said Hernan Hernandez, first author of the types of exposures were linked to faster aging: physical factors such as poor air quality; social factors, including economic inequality, gender inequality, and migration; sociopolitical factors, such as lack of political representation, limited party freedom, restricted voting rights, unfair elections, and weak democracies. Importantly, higher BBAGs were associated with real-world consequences: they predicted future declines in both cognitive abilities and daily functioning. People with larger age gaps were likelier to show significant losses in these areas over time.'Whether a person ages in a healthy or accelerated way is shaped not only by individual choices or biology, but also by their physical, social, and political environments—and these effects vary widely between countries,' said Sandra Beaz, co-corresponding author and Atlantic Fellow of the GBHI at Trinity study redefines healthy aging as an environmental, social, and political phenomenon. Public health strategies must expand beyond lifestyle prescriptions to address structural inequalities and governance Hernando Santamaria-Garcia, co-first author and a GBHI fellow, 'Governments, international organizations, and public health leaders must urgently act to reshape environments, from reducing air pollution to strengthening democratic institutions.' He added that these go beyond climate or governance issues to inform urgent health interventions. The study affirmed that to promote healthy aging and reduce dementia risk worldwide, we must intervene upstream, where inequality is produced, where politics shape lives, and where environments silently erode healthy aging.
Mid East Info
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Mid East Info
J-PAL MENA AT AUC CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF EVIDENCE POLICYMAKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA - Middle East Business News and Information
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa J-PAL MENA at The American University in Cairo (AUC) marked its fifth anniversary this week, celebrating five years of harnessing the power of evidence to design cost-effective and large-scale policies that address poverty and enhance lives across the region. Held at AUC's Malak Gabr Theater, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, donors, and community leaders to celebrate J-PAL MENA's achievements using data and rigorous research to inform policies addressing some of the region's most pressing challenges. The event featured a keynote speech by Nobel Laureate and J-PAL co-founder Abhijit Banerjee and opening remarks by Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat. Engaging panel discussions explored the future of evidence-based policymaking in Egypt and the MENA region and showcased success stories from J-PAL's partners, including government officials and NGOs. Since its launch in 2020, J-PAL MENA, hosted at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, has built a strong foundation of success, partnering with governments, NGOs, and donors to generate and disseminate evidence that improves policies and transforms lives. 'Since 2020, when Community Jameel supported the establishment of J-PAL MENA, we have been in awe of the speed and scale of its impact in improving the lives of people across the region – from Morocco to Saudi Arabia and, of course, here in Egypt. Today, marking J-PAL MENA's fifth anniversary, we remain committed to supporting J-PAL MENA in driving forward the use of rigorous evidence in tackling grave challenges, from poverty and hunger to air pollution and water scarcity,' said George Richards, director of Community Jameel. In 2022, J-PAL MENA launched the Egypt Impact Lab, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and with support from Community Jameel, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and additional support from UNICEF Egypt. The aim was to strengthen the effectiveness of Egypt's poverty reduction policies by rigorously evaluating promising and innovative government programs and using results to inform scale decisions. The Egypt Impact Lab was officially integrated into the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development's training arm, in 2024. 'As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we reflect on the incredible journey of building a culture of evidence-informed policymaking in Egypt and the Middle East. Over the past five years, J-PAL MENA has collaborated closely with governments, NGOs, and donors to generate research that directly improves people's lives,' said Ahmed Elsayed, executive director of J-PAL MENA. 'This milestone is not just a celebration of our achievements but a moment to look ahead—to deepen our partnerships, expand our impact, and continue tackling the region's most pressing challenges with rigorous evidence and actionable solutions,' Elsayed added. In 2025, J-PAL MENA announced the launch of the Hub of Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment HAPIE, as part of the global network of J-PAL Air and Water Labs with Community Jameel, which aims to tackle critical air and water issues through evidence-based policymaking. The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Founded at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003, J-PAL has seven regional offices at host universities in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. J-PAL MENA was launched in 2020, in partnership with Community Jameel, and is based at AUC. It currently has more than 60 completed and ongoing evaluations across eight sectors in seven countries in the MENA region: Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a leading English-language, American-accredited institution of higher education and center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions, and study abroad programs. The University offers 39 undergraduate, 52 master's, and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world. An independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.
Zawya
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson urges focus on Human Dignity in Anti-Corruption Fight on Africa Anti-Corruption Day 2025
On the occasion of the 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, urges all African Union Member States to underscore human dignity in their anti-corruption strategies. The 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day is commemorated under the theme, Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption. The commemoration held annually on 11 July, aligns this year with the overarching AU theme for 2025: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations." The Chairperson emphasizes that corruption is not merely an economic crime but a direct assault on human dignity and security as it robs countries of their potential and individuals of their dignity. Corruption undermines trust in our institutions, diverts resources meant for development, and perpetuates inequality and poverty. The Chairperson highlights that corruption strips citizens, particularly women, youth , children and the most vulnerable, of their fundamental rights, freedoms, and opportunities to thrive, leading to tragic consequences like increased maternal mortality due to diverted health funds or lack of basic education for children. The Chairperson highlights the intrinsic link between the fight against corruption and the broader pursuit of justice and reparations. He notes that just as the continent seeks to address historical injustices through reparations, it must equally dismantle contemporary corrupt systems that perpetuate indignity and injustice. The 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day theme seeks to sensitize Africans of the importance to examine our history, and to shape our shared future, based on the dignity of people. The Chairperson reiterates that the African Union has prioritized the fight against corruption as a cornerstone of its Agenda 2063, envisioning an Africa where integrity, accountability, and transparency prevail. He stresses that the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), adopted 22 years ago, remains the guiding framework. He urges Member States to continue aligning national legislation and strategies with its principles, particularly Article 2(4), which enjoins State Parties to promote socio-economic development by removing obstacles to the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights. The AU Chairperson calls for immediate action by Member States to fulfil their commitment to effectively tackle corruption and implement measures that apply a human rights lens in prevention and enforcement. He also calls for unity to dismantle corruption's structures and build a continent where human dignity is protected and celebrated. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
CairoScene
12-07-2025
- General
- CairoScene
Concrete Statements: Brutalist Beauties in the Arab World
Concrete Statements: Brutalist Beauties in the Arab World Brutalism in the Middle East emerged with ambition and urgency offering concrete answers to postcolonial futures, urban growth, and national identity. Many of these buildings were conceived as architectural displays of power and autonomy. Today, their raw forms remain to remind us of a time when architecture dared to be bold and unapologetically modern. Jameel Centre – Cairo, Egypt Originally built in 1989 for AUC and now anchoring the GrEEK Campus, the Jameel Center is a bold Brutalist landmark defined by fair-faced concrete, deep arches, and exposed structural grids. Its mashrabiyyas and marble details nod to Cairo's Mamluk heritage without softening its raw, geometric form. The building's coffered concrete ceilings and circular façade indents - left behind by bolts in the structure - embrace the expressive imperfections of cast-in-place construction. Inside and out, the design celebrates clarity and function. National Assembly Building – Kuwait Utzon's 1989 design for Kuwait's parliament makes concrete feel like cloth, with a sweeping tent-like canopy that anchors the public plaza. Its weightless billow offers a poetic yet uneasy nod to Bedouin heritage. The grid-based interiors and precast concrete forms draw from Arabian bazaars and bureaucratic order. While it gestures toward regional identity, the result is an eclectic collision of imported modernism and selective tradition The Koujak-Jaber Building – Beirut, Lebanon Nicknamed the Gruyère for its perforated concrete façade, this apartment block turns Brutalism into visual play. Circular and elliptical voids pierce a flat concrete skin, revealing glimpses of the building's internal rhythm, windows, terraces, and structural slabs. From below, the shifting geometry distorts into a surreal optical effect, where circles become ellipses and the static appears in motion. Designed by Victor Bisharat, the building channels expressionism over function. Le Corbusier Gymnasium – Baghdad, Iraq A rare Le Corbusier Brutalist gem in the Middle East, the gymnasium is part of a visionary sports complex, its bold massing, sweeping ramp, and cable-suspended curved roof echo Le Corbusier's obsession with light, movement, and the architectural promenade. Originally it was imagined as a translucent "boîte à miracles" - a miraculous box of light and concrete. However, it evolved into a more grounded structure - still monumental, still modern. Hotel du Lac – Tunis Built in the 1960s on the banks of Lake Tunis, Hotel du Lac is a brutalist icon defined by its dramatic reverse-pyramid form - each floor cantilevering outward to make the top level twice as wide as the base. Its stacked concrete massing and unapologetically heavy profile symbolised Tunisia's post-independence leap into modernity. The building quickly became both a tourist landmark and pop culture reference, often cited as an inspiration for Star Wars' sandcrawler. Bloc des Salles de Classe IV – Algiers, Algeria Part of Niemeyer's visionary university complex in Algiers, the Bloc des Salles de Classe is a sculptural brutalist mass shaped by revolution - both political and architectural. Cast in raw concrete and arranged in monumental slabs and voids, it was built to embody post-independence Algeria's socialist ambitions. The severe geometry, rhythmic repetition, and sheer scale echo Niemeyer's signature language of expressive modernism. Once imagined as the nucleus of a utopian new capital, the complex now stands as a relic of an unfinished revolution - haunting, poetic, and present. Al-Burj – Amman, Jordan Completed in 1985, Al-Burj once stood as the tallest building in Amman, a 22-story brutalist monument that once defined the city's skyline and anchored one of the capital's busiest streets. It was designed as a self-contained commercial hub with a cinema, rooftop restaurant, and retail floors to embody Amman's urban optimism. Now semi-abandoned, its weathered shell remains an enduring imprint of Amman's modernist ambitions. General Post Office Headquarters – Doha, Qatar Completed in 1988, Doha's Central Post Office is a striking brutalist landmark that embodies the formal ambition of Qatar's state-building era. With its monolithic concrete massing, sculpted volumes, and rhythmic façade, the building conveys institutional authority and architectural clarity. Designed by the British firm Comconsult, its bold form has remained a fixture in the city's collective memory Center for Marine Research – Latakia, Syria Completed in the 1980s just north of Latakia, Syria's Center for Marine Research is a striking pyramidal form of raw concrete rising from the sea. Designed by Bourhan Tayara, the cruciform plan features trapezoidal walls, a central atrium, and cantilevered dormitories, echoing the rhythm of sails and the logic of modernist structure. Though now weathered and abandoned, its bold silhouette still anchors the shoreline bearing the visible scars of time. Al Ibrahimi Tower – Abu Dhabi, UAE The Ibrahimi Tower was constructed in the 1980s when Abu Dhabi saw its first skyscrapers, asserting itself on Abu Dhabi's Electra Street with a striking brutalist language as a reminder of the Emirati capital's modernity at the time. Designed by Egyptian architect Farouk El Gohary, the 16-storey concrete cylinder is wrapped in a dense mesh of interlocking panels refined from an earlier prototype by El Gohary in Cairo.
